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Latvia to consider participation in NATO's new training mission in Iraq

RIGA, July 12 (LETA) - Latvia will consider participation in NATO’s new training mission in Iraq, Defense Minister Raimonds Bergmanis (Greens/Farmers), who is attend the Alliance’s summit, told LETA by phone from Brussels.

NATO has decided to expand the training of Iraqi troops and open a military academy in Iraq.

In order to coordinate international efforts in the fight against Daesh terrorist group, the United States in cooperation with its allies has formed a multinational coalition involved in the US-led Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq. Latvia has contributed six soldiers to the operation.

Bergmanis said that the new NATO training mission would take place parallel to Operation Inherent Resolve. “We will consider whether we can get involved in this mission. If the National Armed Forces (NAF) have specialists whose assistance is needed for training the Iraqi security forces we might participate in this mission,” the Latvian minister said, adding that the training mission will not include combat operations.

As reported, on January 14, 2016, Saeima approved a draft resolution on Latvian troops’ participation in the counterterrorism operation in Iraq.